Address: 4033 Southwest Canyon Rd
Pricing: Adults: $8, Seniors: $7, Students: $5
Phone: (503) 228-1367
Hours: Daily: 10:00am-5:00pm
How To Get There:
From I-5 Northbound:
1. Take exit 299B on the left for I-405 W toward US-26 W/City Center/Beaverton
2. Merge onto I-405 N
3. Take exit 1D to merge onto US-26 W toward Beaverton
4. Take exit 72 toward Zoo/Forestry Center
5. Sharp right at SW Canyon Rd
From I-5 Southbound
1. Take exit 302B for I-405 W/US-30 W toward Beaverton/St Helens
2. Merge onto I-405 S/US-30 W
3. Take exit 1D to merge onto US-26 W toward Beaverton
4. Take exit 72 toward Zoo/Forestry Center
5. Sharp right at SW Canyon Rd
By public transit:
From downtown, take TriMet MAX Blue or Red line. Get off at Washington Park stop and follow signs for World Forestry Center.
Parking:$2 for non-members
Visit Website
World Forestry Center: A hands-on adventure through the tall trees
Jun 15, 2010
A visit to the World Forestry Center teaches you about the links between your life and the beautiful forests both in Oregon and around the world. Any visitor to Portland will notice that trees populate each city block and the surrounding areas as well. The majestic forests of the Pacific Northwest are not only beautiful, but also in need of preservation.
The center was founded in 1964 and its recent remodel reflects a modern feel. It is housed in a delightfully constructed building in Washington Park. Their mission “is to educate and inform people about the world's forests and trees, and their importance to all life, in order to promote a balanced and sustainable future.”
The World Forestry Center is located just north of the Oregon Zoo and perfectly complements the zoo’s mission of animal education. Oregon has created sustainable policies for many of the state’s forest. Instead of the destructive clear-cutting of decades past, the center shows how the state is trying to create more environmentally-friendly programs.
Upon walking in, you will be amazed at all the exhibits and information offered. The museum has a hand-crafted feel with lots of ornate and eye-catching displays. The musuem’s first floor is dedicated to the forests of the Pacific Northwest. On the second floor, the space is split between revolving touring exhibits and an interactive exhibit looking at the interconnections between forests and cultures across the world.
Currently on display is Pendleton: Weaving America’s Spirit (May 15-August 15). The exhibit is dedicated to local Pendelton Wool company and shows off how the company’s “rich Oregon history and quality product have made Pendleton Woolen Mills a household name.”
The World Forestry Center is a fun and interactive experience for people of all ages. While many of us drive past the tall trees of the state’s forests, you will learn on a visit to the center about how we are connected in many ways to these tall, majestic plants.
HelloPortland Tip: The MAX train’s Blue and Red Lines offers a wonderful alternative to driving. For $2, you can enjoy the trip without the hassles of parking and only takes around 10 minutes from downtown.
- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro
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William CraneWilliam Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues.
Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.
